KAMPALA, May 22, 2026 — Uganda has suspended national celebrations of the International Day of Cooperatives [Coops Day] until further notice following an Ebola outbreak in neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], states the Uganda Cooperative Alliance [UCA].
Uganda was about to launch preparations to join the rest of the world in marking the day on July 4, 2026, under the global theme, “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World!”, which highlights how cooperative enterprises build trust, strengthen communities and advance social justice.
Coops Day, observed annually on the first Saturday of July, will mark its 104th edition this year and is jointly organised by the United Nations and the International Cooperative Alliance [ICA].
Ahead of the celebrations, Uganda, like other countries, typically holds a week-long series of activities, including community dialogues, tree-planting, clean-up exercises, charitable donations and blood donation drives, among others.
However, in a recent communication to Ugandan cooperators, the UCA said: “Following a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives regarding this year’s International Day of Cooperatives celebrations, we have been guided that all national gatherings have been suspended by Government due to the ongoing Ebola situation in Uganda. In line with this directive, the International Day of Cooperatives [Coops Day] celebrations have therefore been suspended until further notice.”
The UCA urged cooperators to take note of the communication and inform other stakeholders accordingly, stressing that prioritising the health and safety of everyone remains paramount.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Uganda has more than 47,000 cooperatives, with around 15 million people said to be cooperators.
As of May 21, the DRC and Uganda Ministries of Health reported a total of 575 suspected cases, 51 confirmed cases, and 148 suspected deaths. These numbers include 2 confirmed cases including 1 death in Uganda in people who traveled from DRC. No further spread has been reported.
https://thecooperator.news/uganda-hosts-ebola-preparedness-and-response-meeting-in-kampala/
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